Florida police dog killed by lightning strike

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — A lightning strike from a passing thunderstorm in Florida killed a Panama City Beach police dog named Argo.

The daughter of the dog’s handler, Cpl. Jason Gleason, found the dog behind his kennel Sunday evening.

The News Herald of Panama City reported that Gleason left the dog in his kennel because he was on his way to a training session. Officials say most of the fur was missing from Argo’s front leg above the paw, indicating a lightning strike.

Police Chief Drew Whitman says Gleason is having a “hard time” dealing with the dog’s death.

Argo replaced Gleason’s former K-9 partner Poncho who disappeared and was presumed dead in 2009 while tracking suspects in the woods.

Argo had four national certificates and helped seize about $25,000 in illegal narcotics.